Box fastening



Oct. 1, 1929. R. L. M couBRlE BOX FASTENING Filed April 15, 1928 /7 werefer;

(fol veg-9 Patented Get. 1, 1929 tartan era were easier;

BOX FASTENING Application filed April 13,

My said invention relates to improvements in fastening means designedmore especially for cigar box lids and to take the place of the nailwhich is customarily used for this purpose.

The invention aims to provide a simple and economical form of fasteningwhich can be easily and quickly applied and which will securely hold thelid in closed position and which will avoid the liability of splittingthe wood which frequently occurs with the customary nail type offastening.

The invention includes the novel construction hereinafter described, thesaid invention being defined by the appended claims.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box with the lid in closed positionand so held by my improved fastening means.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail showing a portion of the lid and boxbefore the parts are brought together.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the block in fasteningposition, and

Fig. l is a perspective view of the block.

Referring by reference characters to this drawing, the numeral 1designates a wooden box such as the ordinary cigar box, and 2 the lidthereof. In embodying my improved fastening means therein 1 proceed asfollows: With the lid in closed position I proceed to out a diagonalgroove 3 in the upper portion of the front wall (preferably at thecenter when but one fastener is used) as shown in Fig. 2, which grooveintersects or passes through the cover, the bottom of the grooveintersecting the inner top edge of the front wall, this forming in thesaid front wall and juxtaposed cover portion, a groove of triangularshape. This groove may be readily formed by the use of an ordinary saw.3 designates a fastener block of suitable material, of triangular shape,its shape and dimensions being such that it will fit exactly and snuglyin the aforesaid groove. In applying the fastener. it is preferable toinsert its larger end in the recess or groove in the edge of the lid asshown at 2, in Fig.

1928. Serial No. 269,783.

2, and secure it therein by glue or similar adhesive with its taperedportion projecting from the lower face of the lid, this being desirablydone at the time of manufacture of the box. When it is desired to closeand fasten the lid all that is necessary is to apply glue or otheradhesive to the sides and back of the projecting portion of the block,or to the walls of the recess or groove in the front wall of the box andthen close the lid, which will cause said projecting portion to entersaid groove in the box wall and be held therein by the adhesive.

It will be noticed that by reason of the shape of the block and thedepth of the cut. the fastening block lies wholly within the box Walland cover and there is no projection either within or without the box.

When it is desired to open the box all that is necessary is to insert aknife blade or like instrument beneath the lid and pry it up in the samemanner as in opening the nail fastened box which ruptures the glue jointbetween either the block and cover or block and box wall, usually theformer, due to less glue area.

This leaves the fastener block attached to one of the parts and enablesthe refastening of the box by softening the glue or a fresh glueapplication.

If refastening is not desired, the projecting portion of the block maybe trimmed off with a knife if desired.

I have found leather a very suitable material for the fastener block asit is easily 85 cut and, if not of a thickness corresponding exactly tothe groove may be spread by a suitable tool (after insertion) to fillthe groove, or if slightly thicker than the width of the groove can becompressed for insertion. Another advantage of using leather is that itwill give way when the box is opened, before the wood, and preventbreakage of the box. r

Instead of applying the fastener blocks as above described they may bepreviously coated with glue or other adhesion which is allowed to dry,and can then be moistened to soften the glue just prior to use and the.

blocks inserted in the groove When the lid is closed.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

1. In combination, a boX having a hinged lid, there being an inclinedgroove in the outer face of the front Wall of the box and edge of thelid, and a tapered filler block filling said groove and adhesively heldtherein.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which the filler block is of leather.

3. In combination, a box having a lid hinged to its back Wall, said boxhaving an inclined groove in its front Wall, and a tapered projectioncarried by said lid at its free edge and adapted to enter said groovewhen the lid is closed and be adhesively secured therein.

In testimony whereof I a'tfiX my signature.

ROBERT LEE MQCOUBRIE.

